Question

A J-shaped growth curve is converted to an S-shaped one ____.​

a. when the parents are past reproductive age​
b. if the data is plotted in reverse
c. when the carrying capacity is reached
d. if reproduction is stopped
e. only for fast-growing populations such as bacteria​

Answer 1

A J-shaped growth curve becomes S-shaped when the population reaches the environment's carrying capacity, transitioning from exponential to logistic growth as resources become scarce.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the study of population dynamics, a J-shaped growth curve is transformed into an S-shaped growth curve when the carrying capacity of the environment is reached. A graph of this equation results in a curve that initially shows exponential growth due to plentiful resources and few individuals. As the population increases, the growth rate starts to slow down because resources become less available, and eventually, the growth rate levels off as the carrying capacity is reached, showing little to no change in population size over time.

This leveling off phase signifies that the population has reached the maximum number of individuals the environment can sustain without degradation, marking a transition from exponential to logistic growth. This concept helps explain the regulating factors that cause population growth to slow down when the population density gets too high and the resources are insufficient to support additional growth.